Chattanooga businessman, civic leader Lupton dies

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) -- John T. "Jack" Lupton, a Chattanooga businessman who used the fortune he made bottling soft drinks to revitalize his city, died Sunday at his home on Lookout Mountain. He was 83.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports Lupton was the grandson of one of three Chattanoogans who acquired the bottling rights for Coca-Cola in 1899. He built the JTL Corp. into the world's largest soft drink bottling company before selling it in 1986 for $1.2 billion.

Lupton used his fortune to help revitalize downtown Chattanooga with waterfront projects like the Tennessee Aquarium and the Tennessee Riverwalk. He also gave $25 million to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain. Arrangements are being handled by the Heritage Funeral Home, which confirmed his death.

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